Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 001 Hazard:

OSH ACT of 1970 Section (5)(a)(1): The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards when transferring Class 1A and Class 1B flammable liquids near electrical and/or potential static ignition sources in the following instances and areas: a) New Prep - Hazardous Waste Storage rooms: On or about February 28, 2022, the employer did not prevent the generation of static electricity discharge when inappropriate containers were used for Class IA flammable liquids including, but not limited to, ethyl ether, that were dispensed from 20-liter plastic satellite containers into 55-gallon metal drums in the inside liquid storage area; moreover, the system that the 55-gal drums were placed on was not grounded to an earth source. Metal drums that did not have grounding cables attached to an earth source were stored on a metal plate with a plastic structure preventing a continuation of metal to ground. Consequently, employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards from the potential ignition of flammable vapors that are caused by static and electrical spark during the waste disposal process. b) Old Prep Area: On or about February 28, 2022, and at times thereafter, employees transferred Class IA and Class IB flammable liquids including, but not limited to, ethyl ether, hexane, and acetone, throughout the work shift, into 20-liter satellite containers that were located under the sink and in an "ether waste" cupboard, without adequate ventilation to remove vapors in close proximity to an ignition source. c) New Prep Area: On or about March 04, 2022, and at times thereafter, employees transferred Class IA and Class IB flammable liquids including, but not limited to, ethyl ether, hexane, and acetone, throughout the work shift, into 20-liter satellite containers that were located under the table, without the required mechanical ventilation, in close proximity to ignition sources. d) Wet Lab: On or about April 19, 2022, and at times thereafter, employees transferred Class IB flammable liquids including, but not limited to, acetone, near ignition sources without adequate ventilation to prevent the accumulations of flammable vapors. Flammable liquids were transferred into four-liter containers in chemical fume hood #8, which did not have adequate ventilation and was located approximately two feet from hood #21V, which had wires that had short circuited causing it to spark. In addition, employees also dispensed acetone in the unventilated sink located approximately five feet from hood #21V.